Arbitration Update: Day 4 & 5

Today, union and employer representatives met for a final day of arbitration hearings, a process which is being overseen by Arbitrator James Dorsey.

Over the past two days, lawyers representing the employer, the government, NSGEU, CUPE, Unifor, and NSNU have discussed the concept of an amalgamated union; their respective proposed orders for Mr. Dorsey; and their respective stances on the Nursing regulation issued by government in the midst of the arbitration process.

NSGEU, CUPE, and Unifor proposed the formation of an amalgamated union in each of the four bargaining units (Nursing, Health Care, Clerical, and Support Services) in an effort to ensure all members could remain with their current unions. This is one of the possible options outlined in Mr. Dorsey’s decision of January 19th.

However, should an amalgamated union not be possible in all four bargaining units, the NSGEU has asked Mr. Dorsey to award the Health Care unit to the NSGEU. The NSGEU holds a double majority in both Health Care and Clerical. We have also asked Mr. Dorsey to award the Clerical unit to the NSGEU, although the NSGEU is open to working with CUPE on an amalgamated union in Clerical, and working with CUPE and Unifor in Support Services.

The NSNU was the only union which supported the recent government regulation on Nursing, which is also supported by the government and employer, stating whoever holds the majority of members across both employers in the Nursing unit would represent all nurses in the province.

Mr. Dorsey has committed to issuing his final decision by February 20th at the latest. We will share this information with affected members as soon as possible.